Egypt fines prominent editor Lina Attalah and shuts independent news outlet Mada Masr
Summary
Egyptian journalist Lina Attalah was released from detention after Mada Masr paid a 3 million Egyptian-pound fine. A court convicted her of managing an unlicensed website and ordered the independent outlet shut; her lawyers are challenging the ruling, with another hearing set for 11 November.Key Facts
- Attalah is the editor-in-chief of Mada Masr, which she founded in 2013.
- Her lawyer said Attalah was also sentenced in absentia in 2024 to one year in prison and fined 20,000 Egyptian pounds.
- Mada Masr said it applied for an operating licence three years ago and received no response from Egyptian authorities.
- The outlet’s closure order came amid the arrest of the six-person team at independent fact-checking platform Matsadaash.
- The Matsadaash team members were charged with belonging to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.
- The Committee to Protect Journalists says 25 journalists are currently jailed in Egypt.
- Press freedom and human rights organizations condemned the ruling and called for Attalah’s release.
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